<fe^ 


v^. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


1.0 


I.I 


ISIM    |25 
1^    12.2 


Hi  M 


Wuu 


-  IIM 

1.8 


6" 


IL25  IIIIII.4   ill  1.6 


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D 


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t( 


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P 
o 
fi 


G 
b 
tl 

si 
o 
fi 
si 
o 


n/ 


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r~lr  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I      I  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

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Tl 
si 
Tl 
v^ 

di 
ei 
bi 

fi\ 
re 
m 


D 


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10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


i 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


i 


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empreinte. 


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TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  'END  "), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ►signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbolo  V  signifie  "FIN  ". 


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method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  6tre 
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Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
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et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

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) 


SPEECH 


OF 


MR.  HANNEGAN  OF  INDIANA, 


ON   THE 


OREGON    QUESTION. 


DKLIV  ERKD 


3N   THE  SENATE  OF   THE   UNITED  STATES, 


FEBRUARY    16,    1846 


WASHINGTON: 

PRINTED  AT  THE  UNION  OFFICB 

1846. 


■*>■»"•. . 


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7.-703 


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R(o^6 


SPEECH. 


OJS  THE  RESOLirriON  OIVINQ  THB  TWELVE  MONTHS'  NOTICE  FOR  THE  TERMI- 
NATION OP  THE  ;  JINT  OCCUPANCY  OP  THE  OREGON  TERRITORY. 


M  Iht  Srxate,  February  16, 1846— On  the  resolution 
of  notice  of  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Relations, 
hnd  on  the  rcBoIutiona  relative  to  Oregon,  which  he 
had  previouBly  iMbmitted,  and  the  amendment 
thereto  as  a  substhute,  proposed    by  Mr.  Cal- 

■MOUS'. 

At  1  o'clock  the  Senate  proceeded  to  tne  discus- 
sion of  the  special  order,  being  the  Joint  resolution 
of  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Relations,  proposing 
to  give  notice  to  Great  Britain  of  the  intention  of 
this  government  to  annul  the  treaty  for  the  joint  oc- 
cupation of ihcOregon  territory, and  the resolutionsof 
Messrs.  Hanneoan,  Calhoun,  and  Crittenden 
having  relation  to  the  same  subject.  The  question 
immediately  pending  was  the  amendment  of  Mr. 
Crittenden,  which  being  announced — 

Mr.  HANNEQAN  then  rose  and  addressed  the 
Senate  as  follows:  Mr.  President,  there  are  various 
pro)>ositioris  rtluting  to  the  subjert  of  Oregon  now 
'  before  the  Senate  for  its  consideration,  which  prop- 
ositions have  been  already  fully  and  clearly  stated 
bp  the  presiding  officer  of  this  body;  to  any  one  of 
whiiih,  or  all  of  them,  if  I  correctly  understand  the 
rules  of  the  Senate,  it  will  be  in  order  to  speak.  As 
far  as  the  rcanlution  for  giving  notice  of  the  termina- 
tion of  the  joint  occupancy  of  Oregon  is  concerned, 
it  is  a  matter  of  very  little  consequence  whether  the 
resolution  reported  from  the  Committee  on  Foreign 
Relations  or  tho  resolution  offtred  by  the  senator 
fi|om  Kentucky,  [Mr.  Chittenhen,]  shall  prevail. 
Eitlier  one  or  the  other  will  satisfy  me.  But  I  con- 
sider the  giving  of  the  notice  at  the  present  session  of 
Congress  a  matter  of  the  utmost  importance  in  many 
points  of  vitw.  It  will  be  entirely  unnecessary, 
however,  to  discuss  those  various  points,  and,  in- 
deed, it  would  not  be  consistent  with  the  course 
wliicli  I  have  marked  out  for  myself.  I  desire  to 
speak  more  particularly  ui>on  some  other  branches  j 
of  the  subject,  and  especially  in  reference  to  the 
resolutions  which  I  had  the  honor  to  submit,  and 
the  amendment  t  >  those  resolutions,  or  substitute 
for  them,  proposed  by  the  honorable  senator  from  ' 
South  Carolina,  [Mr.  Calhoun.]  I  prefer  this  course' 
for  the  simple  icason  that  the  resolutions  which  1 1 
submitted  bring  the  whole  question  of  Oregon  I 
directly  before  the  Senate.  My  first  resolution  de-l 
dares  our  title  to  the  whole  of  the  territory,  ex- 1 
tending  them  from  the  Rocky  mountains  to  the  Pa-[ 


cific  ocean,  and  lying  south  of  5iP  40'  north  lati- 
tude, to  be  valid  and  unquestionable;  in  the.  second 
resolution  I  declare  that  this  government  has  ho 
power  to  alienate  its  soil,  or  to  transfer  the  allegiance 
of  its  citizens,  to  any  foreign  prince  or  power;  and 
by  the  third  resolution  it  is  declared  to  be  in  direct 
violation  of  the  honor  jBiid  best  interests  of  tke  etfua- 
try  to  surrender  that  which  is  clearly  ours-  In 
amendment  to  these  resolutions,  the  ssnator  from 
South  Carolina  has  submitted  the  following: 

Res-^lvtd,  TUnt  the  rrpaiaent  of  the  United  States  ban  pow- 
er, "by  »n<l  with  the  advice  and  conKiint  of  the  Senate,  to 
make  treaties,  provided  two-tbirds  of  the  senators  piesant 
concur." 

Resnlvid,  That  the  power  of  making  trea'.iea  embraces  tkfet 
of  Dettlin^and  fiKinsr  bnun  aries  betweeathe  territories  and 
possessions  of  the  IJnited  States  and  those  bf  other  p»werf, 
m  cases  of  conflicting  claims  between  them  in  reference  to 
the  same. 

Resolved,  That,  however  clear  their  claims  may  be.  ia 
their  opinion,  to  "the  country  included  within  the  parallels 
of  4'}  ieg.  and  54  deg.  40  miti.  north  latitudcv  and  extendinK 
from  the  Rocliy  mountains  to  the  Pacific  ocean,  known  at 
the  territory  of  Oregon,"  there  now  exiils,  and  have  loag' 
existed.  conAictingclaim!)  to  the  possession  of  the  same  be- 
tween them  and  Great  Britain,  the  adjustment  of  which 
has  been  frequently  the  subject  of  negotiation  between  the 
respective  governments. 

And  also  Mr,  Calhoun's  fifth  resolution,  as  fol- 
lows: 

Resolved,  That  the  President  of  the  ITnitod  States,  in  re- 
newing the  oll'er,  in  tlie  spirit  of  peace  an.l  compromise,  to 
nstabliiih  the  49t)i  degrcK  ol  north  l.atit\idt'  as  a  line  between, 
the  two  co'.ntdes  to  tho  said  territory,  did  not  abandon  the 
honor,  the  character,  or  the  best  interests  of  the  American 
people,  or  cxcect!  the  power  vested  in  him  by  the  eonstitw- 
tion  to  malie  treaties. 

To  this  last  resolution  I  have  no  answer  to  make. 
1  shall  not  attempt  to  consider  it  in  any  way.  To 
the  first  resolution  I  have  no  earthly  objection.  All 
that  is  substantial  in  it  is  in  accordance  with  the  let- 
ter and  spirit  of  the  constitution. 

The  second  resolution  of  the  senator  from  South 
Carolina  contains  some  undoubted  truth,  but  it  ia 
not  applicable  at  all  to  the  subject  of  Oregon.  I  de- 
sire th<'  Senate  to  observe  that  the  senator  from 
South  Carolina,  not  only  in  this  resolution,  but  else- 
where in  his  resolutions,  uses  the  word  ^'claims'*  as 
applicable  to  the  pretensions  o^both  countries.  I 
use  the  word  tUle  when  speaking-ofthe  United  Slates. 
I  think  his  second  resolution  utterly  inapplicable 
here,  from  the  fact  that  his  entire  series  does  not 


present  the  quealion  in  its  true  attitude.  We  set  up 
BO  claim — we  assert  title,  the  freehold,  the  sovereign- 
ty. It  is  England  alone  that  rents  upon  a  nakrd 
claim. 

To  this  hour  she  never  has  succeeded  in  showing 
even  "a  colorable  title"  to  one  single  foot;  whilst 
upon  the  other  hand,  I  hold  that  our  negotiators,  our 
executive  department,  both  branches  of  Congress, 
hundreds  of  our  fellow-citizens  all  over  the  Union, 
have  at  various  inbervals,  and  in  rapid  succession, 
made  out  and  exhibited  to  the  world  as  clear  a  case 
of  title  to  the  country  between  the  parallels  of  42° 
and  54°  40'  on  the  Pacific,  with  the  adjacent  islands, 
as  was  ever  made  out  to  the  soil  and  freehold  of  any 
country  on  earth — as  clear  as  can  be  made  out  by 
any  member  of  this  body  to  the  plantation  on  which 
stands  hid  habitation. 

IVithout  losing  any  time  by  prefatory  remarks, 
I  will  go  at  once  into  the  evidence  of  the  title, 
which  has  already  been  presented  on  several  occa- 
sions, 

To  avoid  stepping  in  the  course  of  my  remarks  to 
name  authorities,  1  may  now  simply  state  in  ad- 
vance, that  the  sources  from  whence  my  informa- 
tion is  chiefly  derived  arc  the  works  of  Malic  Brun 
and  Humboldt,  the  writings  of  sevnrni  hrads  of  the 
S'.ite  D.^partment,  the  speeches  delivered  in  this 
bi  ',  and  the  other  branch,  by  various  distinguish- 
ta  .nen,  for  the  last  twenty-five  years,  and  from  the 
work  of,  and  conversntiona  with,  the  commander  of 
the  exploring  squadron,  Captain  Ciiarles  Wilkes, 
and  alpo  from  the  persunal  communications  of  Com- 
mbdores  .Tones  and  Aulick,  both  of  wiiom  have  vis- 
ited a  portion  of  ihe  coast  in  question. 

Humboldt  informs  us  that  in  the  year  l.ldi, 
Francisco  Gall,  in  his  voyage  from  Macao  to  Aca- 
pulco,  discovered  the  northwest  const  of  America  as 
high  as  57°  .30*.  In  the  language  of  this  author, 
"Gali  admired,  like  all  thos.;  who  since  his  lime 
have  visited  Kew  Cornwall,  the  beauty  of  those  co- 
lossal mountains  of  which  the  summit  is  covered 
with  perpetual  snow,  while  their  bottom  is  covered 
with  the  most  beautiful  vegetation." 

New  Cornwall,  as  it  w.^  called  Ion";  after,  if  I 
recollect  right,  by  Vancouver,  extends  from  the 
54th  degree  to  the  57th.  This  discovery  by  Gaii 
■was  ten  years  anterior  to  the  voyage  of  Juan  de 
Fuca,  wlio  discovered  the  strait  separating  the 
eouthern  point  of  Vancouver's  island  from  the  main 
land.  Whilflt  giving  implicit  credence  to  the  dis- 
coveries of  Gal  i,  Humboldt,  for  reasons  I  cannot 
discover,  is  inclined  to  treat  the  voyage  of  Juan  de 
Fuca  OB  apocryphal.  The  examinations  of  modern 
4mes  have  united  a  concurrent  fupport  of  de 
Fuca|a  statements,  and  with  one  accord  the  strait 
he  discovered  perpetuates  his  name.  Tills  voyage 
ofdeFu-'a  was  in  1592.  .Subsequent  to  that  time, 
«nd  up  to  the  period  of  1774,  Spain  continued  or, 
various  occasions  to  aend  marinerd  into  trmse  seas 
as  high  north  as  the  parallels  of  55°  and  57°. 
Througho'ji.  the  whole  period  she  was,  by  the  com- 
mon conscni  of  Christendom,  'dgarded  as  the  sov- 
creig,«  and  possessor,  not  only  to  the  last-named  par- 
allel, but  still  further  to  the  north. 

I'l  the  year  1774,  however,  occi.red  the  voyage 
of  .fuan  Perez,  under  the  authority  of  the  Spanish 
go irernment,  to  a  p(/lnt  between  the  parallels  of  55'' 
and  50°, 

He  landed  on  the  north  coast  of  Washington  isl- 
and, traded  with  the  natives,  took  possession  for- 
Bialiy  in  the  name  of  the  king  of  Spain,  coasted 
dowa  it,  and'  thence  to  Vancouver's  island,  along 


which  he  coasted,  landing  and  trading  with  the 
natives,  and  was  the  first  civilized  nMin  who  di,scov> 
ered  or  entered  Nootka  sound,  where  he  anchored, 
and  christened  it  Port  San  Lorenzo,  in  honor  of  the 
saint  on  whose  natal  day  he  entered  it.  The  year 
following  his  return,  the  Spanish  viceroy  of  Mexico 
fitted  out  another  expedition,  the  command  of 
which  was  assigned  to  Bruno  Heceta,  accompanied 
by  Perez  and  Qiuadra,  and  they  proceeded  to  the 
57th  degree  north.  They  erected  monuments,  af- 
fixed to  them  inscriptions,  raised  crosses,  traded 
with  the  natives,  and  took  possession  in  the  name  of 
the  king  of  Spain,  of  the  whole  country  south  of  the 
57th  parallel.  In  so  doing,  they  complied  with 
all  the  formalities  known  to  the  age,  and  upon  the 
principles  which  have  guided  the  course  of  England 
on  more  than  one  occasion.  These  two  voyage-^ 
would  alone  constitute  a  perfect  title  by  discovery. 
This  last  voyage,  commanded  by  Heceta,  was  two 
years  prior  to  the  voyage  of  Captain  Cook,  on 
whose  discoveries  the  English  claim  now  rests,  .\z 
one  time  she  defended  her  claim  undtr  the  piratical 
voyage  of  Sir  Francis  Drake,  to  the  Spanish  pos- 
sessions on  the  Pacific;  history,  however,  has  long 
since  assigned  to  that  renowned  freebooter  his  ap^ 
propriate  place.  Pilla  ,rt  and  plunder  were  his  in- 
centives, not  the  di.scovery  and  acquisition  of  terri- 
tory. It  is  exceedingly  doubtful  whether  lie  pro- 
ceedcil  as  high  north  as  48^  As  the  claim  under 
hi.4  discovery  is  abandoned,  it  would  be  useless  to 
give  it  further  notice. 

In  opposition  to  the  conceded  discoveries  of  .Spaii:, 
ICngland,  at  this  day,  romesi  in  with  the  voyage  of 
Captain  Cook,  the  Notka  Sound  convention,  and 
the  voyage  of  Vimcouver.  A  sufficient  answer  to 
the  claim  under  Cook,  is  founded  in  the  well-au- 
thenticated fact,  admitted  by  Cook  himself,  that 
prior  to  sniling  from  Kngland  nn  account  of  the  voy- 
age of  Heceta  had  been  published  by  Q,uadra,  and 
had  been  scon  by  Cook.  This  simple  statement  of 
fact  is  the  most  decisive  and  complete  refutation  oi 
the  English  claim  by  di.scovery. 

Her  claims  under  the  Nootka  Sound  convention 
arc  no  better  tbunded.  In  the  year  1789,  an  Eng- 
lish subject  named  Mcares  landed  at  Nootka  souird, 
and  erected  some  huts  for  the  purpose  of  trading 
with  the  natives;  and  shortly  after  an  English  ves- 
sel coming  in,  was  seized  by  the  Spaniards  who  had 
a  settlement  there.  Mcares  was  sent  in  coniinc- 
nfient  to  Mexico,  and  the  ships  and  cargo  were  con- 
ii.scated.  An  appeal  was  made  to  the  English  gov- 
ernment by  Meares,  for  hnr  prutection  and  interposi- 
tion; and,  to  her  honor  be  it  spoken,  that  appeal 
is  never  made  in  vain.  She  promptly  addressed  the 
Spanish  government;  and  Spain,  'n  reply,  alleged 
that  an  English  subject  had  trespassed  on  her  do- 
minions. England  armed,  nnd  thrcitened  in.'stant 
hostilities  unless  Spain  would  make  reparation  tor 
the  nlleged  injury.  Spain,  weak  asi  she  wa?,  and 
controlled  at  that  time  by  the  weakest  and  mo.st  im- 
becile monarch  that  has  dishonored  a  throne  in  mod- 
ern times,  who  wau  him.3elf  infamon^ly  controllei! 
by  the  notorious  and  abiindoncd  G  idoy,  misi;a!!ei 
Prince  of  Peace — even  Spain,  iu  her  degradation, 
refused  the  orbitrary  exHCtiona  of  England.  An 
iippeal,  under  the  "family  compact,"  \v\a  made  to 
France  by  the  Spanish  minister.  C'lunt  Nunez,  <le- 
manding  assistance  nnd  support,  in  accordance  with 
the  terms  of  that  compact.  The  reply  of  Franct 
was,  that  she  was  ready  to  meet  and  discharge  her 
obligations  under  the  "family  corftpact"  The  un- 
settled condition    of  her  nfToirs   prevented  ihc  aid 


t 


r 


that  waa  invoked,  for  the  flame  wati  ulrcudy  kindling 
which,  three  short  years  ufter,  brought  Louis  XVl 
to  the  block.  Left  alone,  weak  ana  feeble  as  she 
was,  Spain  could  not,  single-handed,  encounter  the 
colodsal  [lower  of  EnglnnJ,  and  was  compelled  to 
submit  to  terms. 

But,  in  so  doing,  she  maintained  to  the  last  the 
tone  of  her  minister  in  addressing  the  French  gov- 
ernment for  aid.  That  communication  appealed  to 
all  Europe  for  the  jutisfication  of  her  title  to  the  ter- 
ritory in  question.  Its  lunguagu  i»  vio;oroua  and 
remarkable,  and  defies  rcfutntlon.  With  the  per- 
mission of  the  Senate,  1  will  read  a  pnesn^e  from 
that  communication.     Here  it  is: 

•'\p\.  That  by  the  tre^xtiin.  dcinuikatiun^,  takings  of  poa- 
se:isioii,  ami  tho  niott  ilfciilcd  acts  of  foveruiuiily  exerriaiHl 
by  till!  Hp.ini.udc  in  tlifsu  EtalioMs  from  Ihi;  ri-igii  of  ('.hurlcs 
tlie  sicoriil,  anil  aulliciriiti.l  l)y  tli'\l  moinrcirin  103^,  tlifc 
ori'riicil  voiichen  fir  wliicli  shall  he  liioii>»lit  forwind  in 
the  course  of  the  nuijo'.iitiii.i.  nil  the  cou'itlo  tliu  noilli  of 
thf  ivi'stcrn  Aineiici.  on  tho  ^i.lc  t'f  tho  soiitli  ten,  a>.  f,ir  :i» 
bL'Vond  ivhat  i"  callrd  I'rinci'  W'illirun'd  Miunil,  wliiih  is  in 
the  tilfil  degrco,  is  aoknowltdjifd  to  litlonij  ixclusivcl)' to 
Spain" 

"3J.  Thai  the  state  of  tin-  poisussionw  r\\i\  i'<;;-.hi(ivi'  com- 
niirrct' '1,1  tilt'  yvaijuatl  of  the  soiitlirrn  ii'.'c  in,  a:,  it  e\isl(';l 
in  till-  tiiMi-  (if  (;li,ir;oi  tlif  iU'CDrvl.  Ii;i,l  tu:i  :;  aoUnowleilr:;!'!! 
rindil'diud  anew  !•}•  all  th'j  iialions  of  Kiiropc,  and  inoif 
;ia'.tii'nl  i.lv  I  y  F.unlaail,  in  the  tiyliUi  article  ol  tlic  tro^l) 
of  l:tr,:r.!ii." 

Mr.  Presiilciit.  rvnry  rommuniralion  v  liirli  siib- 
EC(|i!fiitIy  j).;'!.'<e(l  frini  Count  Kloriila  i'liiir.n,  the 
y|mniaii  iic^Dtia'nr,  in  Mr.  Fiizlitrliert,  the  l',ii;;li.-li 
envoy,  contains  liiiigiiii<;e  rqiinlly,  if  not  mere  (lt;i'i- 
dcd,  in  the  nH.ibrtion  of  •'^pniiisli  title,  than  the  pa.'! 
sa!;c  I  have  quoted.  Ami  ut  tlid  vi'iy  moment  of 
signing  the  Nootka  Si)ui»(l  convention,  to  nvoi'l  all 
sulisiMiiunt  fruudoleiii  interpretation,  and  in  dcfmicc 
of  the  ganntlcittd  h:ind  itnpcndinn;  over  her,  Count 
Florida  IJ'anc.a  dcL-I.^ies  that  Spain  yielii.s  not  one 
tittle  of  sovereignty — of  exclusive  sovereignly  over 
the  soil. 

If  wa  add  to  this,  and  the  common  cotascnt  of 
Christendom  before  alluded  to,  the  fact,  that  Mr. 
Fiizherbert  madu  no  assertion  of  title  for  England, 
but  confined  himself  to  a  vague  and  undcfinecl  ex- 
pression of  rights,  or  "claims,"  up  to  the  time  of 
accepting  the  convention  on  behalf  of  England,  we 
have  as  clear  a  title  in  Spain  to  Vancouver's  island, 
and  the  adjacent  coaiiit  and  islands,  as  can  be 
found  in  history,  to  the  attachment  of  any  newly 
discovered  country  on  earth.  Tiiat  admission  of 
right  in  Spain  extended  as  high  north  as  the  Gist 
parallel. 

Oh,  what  a  picture  would  the  secret  history  of 
English  diplomacy  present!  I  speak  not  in  censure 
of  the  master-spirits  who  for  centuries  have  con- 
trolled her  councils,  leading  her  step  by  step  to  the 
mastery  of  the  world.  Their  far-sightednesj,  and 
their  devotion  to  her  interests,  is  worthy  of  commen- 
dation and  emulation.  Perhaps  no  stronger  in- 
stance of  forecast  was  ever  given  than  that  which 
sixty  years  ago  saw  the  vast  importance  that  the 
desert  coast  of  the  Pacific  was  ultimately  to  attain 
in  the  scale  of  empire. 

The  Nootka  Sound  convention  gave  to  England 
the  right  "to  land  on  the  coasts  in  places  not  already 
occupied,  Tor  the  purpose  of  carrying  on  their  com- 
merce with  the  iialiTes  of  the  country,  or  of  miking 
SRitlements  ihcre,"  with  the  sole  intention  of  afford- 
ing her  facilities  in  such  intercourse  with  the  natives 
and  to  enable  her  to  repair  her  vessels.  These 
secondary  and  permissive  rights,  in  no  manner  in- 
•  solving  the  sovereignty,  were  all  she  acquiicd  by 


that  convention — all  that  her  atatesmen  then 
claimed — all  that  Spain  conceded.  Ant^  yet  aha 
has  at  this  hour  the  eflfrontery  to  assert,  m  the  face 
ofhistory,  that  she  thus  acquired  the  right  of  para- 
mount occupation  and  settlement.  I  say  all  that 
her  statesmen  claimed;  for  Mr.  Fox,  in  the  British 
Parliament,  whilst  the  convention  was  underdiscus- 
sion,  denounced  it  as  "a  treaty  of  eoiiensions  and  not 
of  acquisiliont."  In  another  passage  he  asserts, 
that  "we  had  given  up  all  right  to  settle  except  for 
temporary  [lurposes,  to  tho  south  of  the  Spanish 
settlements  or  in  the  intervals  oelween  them,  where 
they  happened  to  be  distant." — Par.  Hit.  vol.  28, 
p.  995. 

And  in  confirmation  of  this  language,  Mr.  Pitt, 
under  whose  auspices  ns  prine  minister  theconven'* 
tion  had  been  nej-totiated,  replied  by  stiyiig,  that 
li:n:;l:ind  "hud  giincd  no  new  rii;hfH,  but  that  she 
Ind  gained  new  advantagoa."  The^p  tiew  advan- 
iao;r.T,  in  the  la'i;fiia;,'e  of  Mr.  Pitt,  consisteil  simply 
in  llic  iickno-.vkiignient  liy  Spain  "of  the  right  of 
'Cn;;lnml  to  carry  on  lislicri-a  in  llie  Parific  ocean, 
to  tr  iJe  (in  the  co.ist  of  uiiy  p:irt  of  it  northwest 


of  America." 

hnni(di,\!c'!y  after  tlic  cxcniti  >n  of  this  conven- 
tion, Ivi;;  an  I  fiiicl  out  one  or  two  sliips,  and  in- 
trusted tho  CKiiiinaml  to  C.ipt.nin  Vancouver,  to  pro- 
ceed oil  a  voyaf^e  of  discovery — yes-,  of  dijtoovery 
to  the  I'iicilii;  ocean,  and,  ns  is  ulli^^'cd,  to  iirocnre  res- 
litulioii  ol'  LMi'.'lish  projifiity  in  c  inijiliaMcc  with  the 
oonvcnlion.  What  v.tae  thy  oor-,urrenc,ci  of  that 
voymre?  Il'i^piin  had  intende:!,  by  this  convention, 
to  deliver  i\o  iilc;i  sounJ  lo  E);;l.\nd,  or  if  England 
had  under.'HioiJ  ii  an  thus  ar.r|uirfd,  would  it  not 
have  bteo  prompily  enforced  by  the  one,  if  refused 
by  thr;  other.'  M  >3t  asisuredU'.  Hut  what  i.s  the 
f.tct?  When  Vnnno'iver  reached  Nootka  8  lund,  did 
he  make  any  demaml  for  restoration.'  No-ie  that  I 
ever  heard  ot.  And  ifso,  it  w.is  not  comjilied  with; 
fur  so  far  from  delivering  to  him  poascssion  of  ^foot• 
i  ka  Pound,  which  in  between  the  pirallela  of  49^  and 
50<^,  the  Spanish  command>int  refused  to  allow  him 
lo  proceed  around  the  island  of  Quadra  or  Vancou- 
ver, by  tho  straits  of  Fuca,  th«  gulf  of  Georgia,  and 
Queen  CharloiteV  sound,  which  all  combine  to  sep- 
arate  it  from  the  main  land,  until  he  could  get  ves- 
sels ready  to  ascompuiiy  him,  and  he  did  accompa- 
ny him. 

And  here  let  me  pause  to  mark  a  point  in  English 
diplomatic  artifice.  Upon  the  arrival  of  Vancouver 
at  Nootka  sound,  the  island  v<fhich  forms  the  sound 
was  called  Quadra,  and  had  l>ecn^for  years;  the  Span« 
iards  were  in  possession;  a  Spanish  commandant, 
he  whose  name  the  island  bore,  held  possession  in 
the  name  of  Spain, and  a  flourishing  Spanish  set- 
tlement, with  the  consent  and  approbation  of  the  na- 
tives, was  established.  Without  a  word  on  the 
subject  of  restoration,  or  of  sovereignty,  or  right  t* 
the  island,  but  silently  and  without  the  knowledge 
of  any  one,  but  doubtless  with  the  secret  sanction 
of  the  English  ministry,  Vancouver  in  his  journal 
and  chart  christens  the  island  by  his  own  name,  in 
order  that  Engiarid,  half  a  century  afterwards,  might 
have  another  point  on  which  to  rest  her  random 
and  vagrant  claim.  The  flagrancy  of  this  act  is 
more  striking  when  it  is  recollected  that  Spain  held 
possession,  not  only  at  Nootka  sound,  but  of  the 
entire  island  of  Vancouver — undisturbed,  undispu- 
ted possesi^ion — from  that  period  until  the  year 
1795,  when  she  voluntarily  abandoned  it,  because 
the  disturbed  condition  of  Eur5p9  was  such  as  to 
prevent  her  or  any  other  European  pawar  from  ex- 


tending  6r  protecting  such  remote  settlements  du- 
ring the  succeeding  twenty  years. 

But  did  England  after  this  abandonment  by  Spain 
come  forward  with  her  claim?  Did  she  attempt  a 
setllemeiit?  Certainly  not.  No  senator  can  show, 
for  England  herself  cannot,  that  between  the  par- 
allelHot  42Pttnd  54°  40'  she  i;ver  made  a  ficttlement  or 
asserted  a ''claim"  to  a  single  inch  of  ground,  until 
it  had  been  previously  owned  and  occupied  Ijy 
others. 

Notwithstandin:^  her  uniform  course  all  a\rr  tlic 
world  ofcjaiiniiii:;  and  holdinp;  hy  discovery  na  her 
own  ri°;lit,  aha  rciiuires  Komcthing  m  Jiv  in  others, 
whenever  it  units  li(!r  purpo^fis,  than  nicri^diKcnvcry. 

Meart'B,  whu  was  the  t)ri{jin  of  ilii.^  iliffiruliy  :it 
Nootka  ^'()n'ld,  in  ii  mumnriyil  niaJc  tf>  his  o'.vn  j'ov- 
crnmeiit,  but  wiiioh  i^  proved  by  aijlmtantial  wit- 
nesses to  lie  fnl.-se,  alleged  that  he  hid  purchancd 
landat  Nootk.i  of  the  liaiive  cliicf  Mupiinnii,  and 
had  thus  acquired  the  right  to  build,  o<:>'.uj)y,  and 
possess). 

Two  Aniericuii  navigators,  Cnptainn  Gray  and 
Ingraham,  were  at  that  point  when  the  dilHculty 
occurrc'l,  and  st,'»t6  emphatically  that,  the  chief  denied  j 
ever  giving  the  right  to  Mnares  or  any  i>:lic,r  En- 
glishman to  miiko  sctilemenia  there,  ni)r  dil  ha  to  j 
any  cxtciitad. nit  their  claims.  On  the  contrary,  at 
the  period  of  this  difficulty,  the  native  chief  took 
part  with  the  Spaniiirds.  This  fact,  even  under  the 
English  construction  of  the  rule  for  others  in  the  con- 
summation  of  title  by  discovery,  gives  Spain  a  (icr- 
fect  title;  for  when  the  net  of  discovery  is  accompa- 
nied by  permanent  settlement  with  the  conRcnt  of 
the  natives,  it  constitutes,  according  to  that  construc- 
tion, a  perfect  title. 

So  much  for  the  claim  of  England  to  Oregon;  for 
this  is  the  entire  evidence  of  title  upon  which  she 
rests.  She  is  just  where  she  was  in  1189,  when  she 
attempted  to  extort  the  country  from  the  weakness 
aad  the  terrors  of  >Spain.  She  has  no  additional 
derivation  of  title  to  point  to  from  that  hour  to  this. 
We  have  purchased  the  title  of  Spain  by  the  Flori- 
da treaty;,  we  a.'.qiurcd  all  her  rightf,  and  all  her 
sovereignty.  We  stand  to-day  precisely  in  the 
shoes — if  i  may  so  speak — of  Spain  in  1789.  We 
occupy  in  relation  to  Oregon  the  very  position  then 
occupied  by  that  enfeebled  and  worn-out  monarchy. 
Now,  as  then,  the  samcdomineermgpowcr  is  arming 
to  the  teeth  to  drive  us  completely  from  the  ground 
which  poor  Spain  more  than  half  maintained. 

Shall  the  mailed  hand  of  England  dictate  to  us 
another  Nootka  Sound  convention?  Shall  it  do 
more? — nhali  it  force  us  to  surrender  that  for 
which  Spain  prepared  to  struggle.  Shall  the 
twenty  millions  who  now  people  free  Americo, 
with  energies  unfathomed,  and  as  1  believe 
unfathomable,  with  resources  unsurpassed  in 
the  history  of  nations — shall  we,  thus  endowed, 
abandon  a  position  in  defence  of  which  Spain  was 
willing  to  iHizard  a  contest,  the  result  of  which  to 
her  was  not  even  doubtful,  and  upon  it  was  slaked 
her  natioral  existence?  Even  the  effeminate 
mind  of  Charles  IV  held  his  nation's  honor 
as  dear  us  hia  nation's  existence.  I  know  it  is  some- 
times fliieeringly  asked,  what  has  honor  to  do  with 
Oregon? — and  why  should  there  be  so  much  talk 
about  honor?  Mr.  Pox,  wfiose  authority  1  dearly 
love  to  quote — for  i  reverence  his  memory — said  in 
the  debate  in  Parliament  I  have  before  quoted 
from : 

'Honor,  10  nalioni!,  was  pThaps  the  only  jaatifiabU  or  ra- 
tional groun')  of  contest.     Warij  forthu  nr.ke  ofcoiiqufiit.of 


aeauiring  dominion  or  exifndin;  tniia,  w«re<q«ally  uDjU4i 
aiM  impolitic.  I{«  who  viiHlicuted  tite  honor  vf  a  country 
wan  th«i  advocate  of  ita  deareit  iotcreiu,  becautc  to  viiiJl- 
cate  itii  bonor  wan  to  (ucure  iti  peace." 

And  this  authority  will  eland  good  when  the 
memory  of  those  who  ask  *'why  tolk  of  honoi?'* 
shall  be  forgotten. 

Hut  in  addition  to  the  title  of  Spain,  we  have  one 
of  our  own  to  contend  for — the  diBcovery  and  cu- 
tranre  into  the  ntouth  of  the  Columbia  river  by 
Captain  Gray,  of  Hnston.  That  river  hit*  its  source 
al)oul  the  5.')d  fiardl'.'l  of  north  Ls.i'.ude.  J^  addi- 
tion to  tlii.s,  we  h.ive  the  ri«;ht  acquired  by  the  dio 
I'ovcrici  riid  expli)ration.s  of  Lewi-i  niul  (/"larke,  (jiv- 
ing us  higher  lli.ui  the -19! h  p.mnlli;!,  to  which  the 
iitjiiator  (ri)in  t^oulh  Carolina  would  confine  the 
Amerir.ui  Uoundary.  Is  there  notliing  due  lo  the 
initerpri.ii;,  the  privations,  uiid  the  ftii'.i'ringM  of  that 
<^allaiit  party,  despA'r.hed  l)y  o'lr  government  to  ex- 
phne  and  take  posocsnion  of  this  territory?  Is  there 
nothing;  duo  to  the  privations  they  endured  in  their 
journey  to  that  region — piercing  the  mountains  in  a 
region  of  eternal  snov/ — v/iBlering  without  hunsc, 
or  tent,  or  hut,  and  subsisting  on  sc*nty  meal;;  ol 
horse-ll'iiil:?  Is  there  nothing  due  to  the  gallant  ct- 
t'liris  of  these  indomitable  men  in  the  service  of  their 
^'iverninent? 

ThMU  the  conj  )int  tiilo'!  of  ."Spain  iind  the  United 
States  to  Oregon,  no  better  title  exists  by'discovery, 
cxplo.-ation,  and  infant  occnp.Ation. 

A  single  remark  upon  the  expedition  of  Mackeii- 
z.ie,  in  consequence  of  which  England,  or  some  per- 
sons for  her,  pretend  to  found  a  claim  north  of  the 
Columbia.  He  piofes'icd,  and,  indeed,  he  supposed, 
that  he  discovered  the  Columbia  from  near  its  source; 
but  the  facf,  as  long  since  established,  proves  that  it 
was  the  Tacoutchee  Te=i3cc,  which  rises  north  of 
the  Columbia,  and  which  he  pursued  for  some  di.s- 
lance,  and  without  ever  having  approached  the  Co- 
lumbia from  iis  source  to  its  mouib. 

A  claim  for  England  is  also  asscrt-^id  oy  the  di.i- 
covery  and  pursuit  of  Eraser's  river  from  near  its 
source  to  its  mouth.  It  will  bo  remembered  that 
this  sircank  empties  into  (he  gulf  of  Georgia  oppo- 
site Vancouver's  island,  which  is  separated  at  many 
points  from  the  mainland  by  so  siiori  a  apace  that, 
for  a  long  time,  it  was  regarded  as  a  projection  of  the 
continent.  The  idle  nature  of  such  a  claim  mu.'t 
be  apparent  from  the  fact  that  the  whole  coast,  at 
the  point  where  Frazer'a  river  dL^charges,  is  mask- 
ed by  Vancouver's  ishind,  more  than  two  hundred 
and  fit'ty  miles  long,  and  which  had  been,  long  prior 
to  the  exploration  of  Frater,  in  the  possession  of 
Spain,  OS  he  was  not  in  that  regi  m  until  sevcru! 
years  after  the  Nootka  Sound  convention.  Undei 
tlicse  circumstances,  to  give  the  right  of  occup.ancy 
on  th'!  mainland  to  one  power,  where  the  right;  of 
sovereignty  to  the  i.sland  was  already  in  .another, 
would  be  as  preposterous  as  to  divide  Long  Island 
from  New  York  in  the  hands  of  different  govern- 
ments, the  juxtaposition  being  as  striking  in  the  one 
case  as  in  tlie  other. 

I  have  been  charged  with  assailing  the  President. 
The  last  resolution  of  the  senator  from  South  Car- 
olina conveys  this  imputation.  1  snid'l  had  no  an- 
swer to  make  to  thai  resolution,  nor  have  I.  But 
for  the  purpose  of  nscnrtaining  who  as.sails  the 
Prcxident's  position,  and  who  suntains  it,  I  will 
refer  lo  his  own  mcus.ige  delivered  at  the  opening 
of  the  present  Congres.s.  Surely  he  can  better  speak 
his  own  views,  explain  his  own  position,  than  the 
BCivtlor  from  South  Carolina  or  myself.     It  will  be 


I 


«lM«rT«d  ih«t  Out  rcMlntioM  of  itiat  distinguiaked 
tenator  fix  th«  40th  (larallel  of  nortti  latitude  om  the 
limit  df  our  pocsesaioiis.  Does  the  Prcaident  do  so? 
]>t  his  message  speak  for  him: 

"Wh*a  I  CKinc  into  oAiee,  I  fouiul  thin  to  be  the  atatc  of 
Uie  nei^tlntitn.  Though  untcrtaiuinc  the  ieltlo<l  convic- 
tion, tkat  th*  pfitith  pmteniioBi  or  titl«  r.oulJ  not  lie  main- 
tained to  Anjrpoiiioa  of  the  Orveon  territory  upon  Hny 
principle  ofpablic  Uw  rccoRoiscd  by  naliona,  yet,  in  dffur- 
«ne«  to  wljtt  htid  \jeen  doin!  by  my   pre'lc.*,):ii«oi9,  auil  us- 

icci«lly  in  coniidemtion  timt  propositi';  »■  oi  cumprounisii 

Ad  bean  thrice  made,''  be. 

Aguin: 

."The-  propoBltioii  tlius  oft'ercd  ond  rej'ic'.eti  rupoati-d  tlm 
olli-rof  ttJC  piriUlnl  of  frtrly-nini-  (ln^r 'on  of  iiortli  latiluJc, 
which  hnd  I'lien  madn  l)y  two  precetlini;  admiuiiilrutionB, 
but  withC'Jl  propoiing  to  nurii'mlir  to  (iri;.<t  Biilain,  hb 
they  liad  dont,  tlin  fnio  nivisationof  tin;  (joluniliia  livnr. 
The  nght  of  niiy  foiiM;^ri  puwiT  to  Ihd  Iruo  navigHlioii  of 
onyo.Cutir  rivezii,  tbroui;h  t)iu  bnart  of  oui' ouunlry,  wms 
one  wlush  ]  wai^  unwillin;;  to  conc<Hl<!.  It  also  embraci'J 
a  provi«ien  tu  CTaks  free  to  <)ri:ut  Jiritdiiiany  port  or  piiit.4 
on  the  cape  of  (iiMdra  and^aiicuuver'ii  island,  noiUli  of  this 
piirallel.  Iltid  lhii  been  a  ne-,v  quf-Klion,  ocininK  ""dcr  (lis- 
etiilioii  ier  tbetirjt  time,  Ibis  pioposition  would  not  iiivu 
tweumsaie.  The  oxtrnordiiiHiy  and  wholly  iitadmissiblu 
dcnandu  of  the  Ilritixh  i^ovornrncnt,  and  tbo  rcjoctinuof 
tho  propojition  m.idc  in  defuri'ijce  aloiio  to  Abut  lind  boi'n 
done  hy  my  priIer,i)»«or«,  and  the  implit;)  ohli:i;ation  wliioh  i 
thoir  nets  tBcme  I  to  iimpoie,  iifljrd  satisfnctory  cvidi-nci'  1 
thatno  rotnpromine  which  tli<r  United  Stites  ought  to  af- 
cepl  can  be  efl'eclcd.  With  Ibin  oonvir.tion,  th"  proposition  ; 
of  compromine  which  had  been  maili!  and  I'lj^ct'-'d,  'va«,  by  t 
my  direction,  subseriuently  witblnuvn,  and  our  ,'.'le  to 
the  \fibole  Qiegon  territory  asserted,  and,  as  in  belicvud, 
mointain^el  by  irrerrai;nble  fact«  and  nr?unients. 

"The  riviUzed  world  will^seu  in  tlicnn  pioccodini^s  a, 
•pititoOibcral  concession  on  the  part  of  the  United  .States; 
and  tbii'ftOTcrDment  will  be  relieved  from  all  responsibility 
which  max/ollew  the  failure  to  settle  tho  eontrovcrsy. 

"AUattcnptt  at  compromise  having  failed,  it  becomes 
the  duty  of  CoBrrei'ii  to  consider  what  measures  it  may  he 
proper  to  adopt  Tor  the  security  and  protection  of  our  citi- 
soai  now  inhabiting,  or  who  may  hereafter  inhabit,  Oregon, 
and  for  the  maintenance  nf  our  just  title  to  that  territory. 
In  adopting  measures  for  this  purpose, care  should  be  taken 
that  nothing  be  doni:  to  violate  tlic  itipulations  of  the  con- 
vention of  Iff;?,  whi'^h  is  still  in  force." 

Again: 

"At  the  end  e(  the  year's  notice,  should  (Jongross  think 
it  propisr  to  make  provision  for  (giving  that  notice,  we  shall 
'have  reached  a  |>eriod  when  the  national  rights  iu  Oregon 
mait  either  be  abandoned  or  firmly  maintained.  That  they 
cannot  be  abandoned  without  a  sacrifice  of  both  national 
honor  and  interest,  if  too  clear  to  admit  of  doubt. 

"Oregon  is  a  part  ol  the  Noitb  American  continent,  to 
which,  it  is  confidently  aniTned,  the  title  of  tho  I'nited  States 
ii  the  bast  now  in  existence.'* 

'Die  proposition  of  compromise  at  the  parallel 
of  43  de2;rces,  he  says  distinctly,  was  by  his 
order  withdrawn,  and  our  title  to  the  whole  territory 
nsserted,  immediately  after  the  coiUeiiiptuous  rejec- 
tion by  the  BiitLsh  minister  of  tlie  oft'er  of  com- 
promise. 

And  Ihi.'?  fact  and  these  opinions  he  communi- 
cate in  his  public  mrBs^ge  to  all  the  world.  It 
would  seem  an  caRy  matter  to  determine  which 
propoMtion,  that  of  the  senator  from  South  Carolina 
or'the  orte  which  I  submit,  is"  in  accordance  with 
thie'vjewfl  and  intentions  of  the  I're«idei)t  as  declared 
'  'in'liifi  rnesanee.  It  is  evident  that  (he  resolutions  of 
diiii  diatii^ished  senator  are  intended  for  but  one 
TfMth.  He  goes  for  all  the  President  h.-^s  done  that 
it  in  the  grave,  and  as;ain8t  all  his  present  and  living; 
action.  lie  intends  to  drive  the  President  from  the 
unKMwerhble  assertion  of  our  title  to  51°  40',  to 
briijg  him  back  to  49°,  and  to  force  liim  to  die  re- 
linquishment of  the  whole  of  o.tr  territory  above 
this  line.  — ' 

1  said,  eij' — or  if  I  did  not,  1  Fay  it  now — ihftt  in- 
stead of  meeting  the  ((ueation  which  ia  prcsentad  to 


the  Senate  by  the  reeolutions  which  I  haid  the  hpMr 
to  submit,  tho  resolutions  of  the  I  notor  from  SoMi 
CaroliRa  are  directly  an  evaeim  of  the  quealion 
which  is  there  presented.  1  present  the  whole 
question  of  title.  Tho  senator  from  South  Carolina, 
instead  of  replying  to  that  proposition,  comes  tot' 
ward  with  some  most  ingeniou.9ly-drawn  reaoUH 
tions,  neither  assertingVor  denying  our  title  to  OMfl 
foot  of  the  country,  but  insidiou.sly  draws  attention 
from  the  main  fact  for  the  purpose  of  making  an 
issue  on  what  lawyers  term  tin  immaterial  point. ' 

1  neglected  sjiuaking  in  refi:rcn(-c  to  this  point  to 
allude  to  the  laiii^uage  of  one  wIjomc  ])owf.rful  inttl- 
lecl  penetrates  to  tho  bottom  of  cviiry  queation  he 
iiivt-HtigatcH.  I  do  not  iiUroilucc  it  lor  the  purpose 
"f  proving  ihiU  wIhcIi  no  man  here  will  deny,  but 
NJmply  to  show  that  I0115;  nincc  in  thi  -i  chamber  our 
situation  on  this  question  ha.^  been  boldly  and  ftw- 
li;.«:aly  defined.  It  ;s  an  txiract  from  the  speech  cf 
the  fjreut  senator  from  the  Went,  [Mr.  Obmtun,] 
delivered  heic  pending  the  A.shburton  treaty — that 
treaty  which  Hiirrondcrcd  at  a  nmnnions  our  whole 
military  frontier  on  the  northcust.  He  fully  main- 
tuiiia  the  view  1  have  taken  of  our  liile  to  Oregon, 
and  every  inch  of  Oregon: 

"Tiio  fate  o;'.>uii:ie  b;!<  do'iblc  '  iho  d,iii;;Mr3  of  the  Oe- 
iucubia,  und  nearly  pi  icod  us  ii,  a  position  to  chooiulH 
twuun  WAIldiul  l.Mi'AMV  ia  lelutioii  to  that  rivtr." 

And,  sir,  ju^it  Mucceediiig  this,  thp  senator  from 
Misanuri  addreHses  the  Senate  in  the  following  em- 
phatic language: 

"Nootka  is  in  lali-ude  .'lO— being  fonr  degrees  north  of  j^i: 
mouth  of  the  ColumbiH;  and  to  that  degree  did  Spain  asMT". 
and  maintain  her  title  against  Ureat  Britain  in  17!)0.  Qut'iHa'; 
was  not  the  extent  01  hur  assertion  of  that  right.  Against 
the  British  she  asserted  it  to  the  whole  cKtent  of  the  coa^t; 
against  tho  llu.ssiaDE,  (the  only  real  claimants,  with  .o.ar- 
selves,  in  that  miaiter.)  to  latitude  .jft.  Thus,  as  derivinj; 
from  Spain,  our  title  is  good  ngain^t  l''.iigland  throiigbdut 
the  coast;  against  Russia,  to  latitude  Oj.  as  deriving  un4«:- 
discoveriesand  settloment,  it  is  good  agjinst  all  the  wodd, 
to  the  extent  of  the  niijion  drained  by  tho  waters  of  the. Co 
lumbin  river  Wo  discovered  the  river  from  its  mouth  to  itii 
tource,  took  posse.ssioii  of  it  as  our  territory,  and,  accord- 
ing to  tho  law»  of  ni.ious,  have  .t  clear  and  valid  title 
to  it." 

Sir,  I  have  been  ."Startled  occasionally  in  this  cham* 
bcr  by  expressions  which  I   have  heard  from  esti- 
mable and  distinguished  members  of  this  body  in 
relation  to  the  territory  of  Oregon.     1  heard  a  dis- 
tinguished senator  some  few  days  since,  (it  may 
have  been  owing  to  the  excitement  of  the  moment 
in  the   warmth  of  debate,  but  its  effect  upon  th'S 
country  will  be  the  .same,) — 1  heard  a  disiin'^uished 
.senator   speak    siieeringly  of  a  contest  for  what/ho 
was  pleased  to  call  the  possession  of  a  piece  of  land 
at  the  end  of  the  earth.     Does  that  senator  know 
the  value,  the  position,   the   soil,  the  power  of  (his 
piece  of  land  ai  tltc  end  of  the  earth.'    Sir,  if  wo  dun 
credit  the   statements  of  those  who  have  visitediit, 
there  is  no  finer  region  of  the  earth  on  any  por^ri 
of  it.s  .surface:  there  is  to  be  found   within  its  liiriits 
every  inducement  which   can  be  held  out  to  entbr- 
i  prising   man.     We  have   the  highest  authorityfor 
tlie  fiict   that  on   the   inland   of  Vancouver  in  tite 
month  of  April  the  grass  was  already  a  foot  high, 
!  the  temperature  so  delightful  that  in  all  that  month 
,  the  merr.ury,  according  to   Fahrenheit,  never  sank 
'.  below  48,  riding  during  the  day  to  from  65  to  70. 
jit  ia  a    well-known   fact   that   the  weslern  slope  of 
'  both  Europe  and  America  possesses  a  far  milder  letn- 
I  poraturo  than  their  eastern  stupes.  .The  western  coasl 
;  of  Ainevica  haj  the  ailvniitage  by  some  five  degrees 
over  the  westevn  const  of  Kurope.  The  highest  point 


6 


of  Vaocouver*!  iaiend  dnea  not  extend  aa  far  north  a* 
Dublin  an4  Liverpool,  with  the  additional  udvan- 
taMof  this  milder  climate  under  the  name  parallel 
•Matitude. 

The  Pacific  coaat  of  America  u  milder  than  the  At- 
lantic coast  by  aomti  t^velve  orfifiuon  degrceti.  And 
it  ia  in  this  region,  between  tho  parallels  of  49^  and 
I  <  i  64°,  that  exist,  as  on  both  faces  of  the  A'.iuntic,  in 
'  natural  combination,  the  harbors  with  depth  of 
water  and  convepiunt  shofes  for  marine  arscnald 
Md  depotfl;  the  timber  for  marine  construction; 
the  fisheries  to  create  and  nurse  a  maritime  popula- 
tion; the  high  tideo  of  a  northern  latitude  for  docks. 
But  all  these  are  cnlmiiced  above  tinytliin^  on  tlie 
Atlantic  by  the  hi;^h  temperature  of  the  winter 
.climate;  the  gcnerucis  iraii(|iiillity  of  the  I'acific  wa- 
ters, the  great  sizr,  the  !^i°iirid  fouturcs,  and  the  sub- 
lime scenery  which  arc  thvie  blended  in  hurnioiii- 
0U8  uifiuon  Willi  the  grand  ocean  on  wlne.ii  llit-y 
look  out.  God  ui:d  niuure  point  to  Oregon  ;i!i  llu; 
main  coUrnn  of  thi  i  iini^lity  empite. 

Mr.  Mangum  here  desired  to  ael  Mr.  U.^NNKtiAN 
right,  if  liis  allu.>ion,  as  he  suppouod,  w.ts  iiilciide  I 
for  him. 

Mr.  Hanneciam  li.iviiig  rcp'ieJ  that  hi^j  niluiiiori 
was  to  liis  reniiiiki  n  f.iw  diiyti  since  — 

Mr.  Man'gum  s.iid,  I  hiivc  t.ikcn  occasion  to  ex- 
press no  O|)iniort  on  I'-io  nueslioii  in  relation  to  whnl 
nii^ht  or  might  noi  lit  ilie  viiluu  ul"  thai  rouir.ry  In 
truth,  liie  opinioi.s  ■.  ipon  the  Hiibjcct  mx-  ko  onfl  ct- 
ing  thai  I  have  nu  Iicen  able  to  form  ;i  sutiifi\rl>ry 
one.  Some  huv(  rerucjeiitfid  it  u.s  u  Bteril  co;iniiy, 
without  water  nii'!  riM.  Olhera  aj;<>in,  unvin^  whom 
is  a  friend  of  minr,  a  nieiti'jer  of  the  i.tlier  House 
from  Ohio,  say  it  is  atl.ipted  to  the  pidliiciioii  of 
sugar  nnd  cotton,  even  ns  fur  up  ns  tho  Hist  decree. 

Mr.  Uannkoan.  f  it  was  aiiaptcd  to  the  pro- 
duction of  sugar  nn^l  cotton,  it  would  not  have  en- 
countered the  opp;>Nilion  it  has  met  here;  it.J  pns- 
•eaeion  would  at  once  huvo  been  secureil,  for  that 
very  opposition  would  have  composed  its  warmest 
support.  Sir,  it  iH  not  good  for  the  production  of 
sugar  and  cotton,  nor  is  it  destitute  of  rain;  for  if 
the  honorable  senator  will  examine  the  account  of 
Lewis  and  Clarke,  he  will  find,  that  during  the  win- 
ter monthd  they  were  nearly  drowned  out. 

It  ia  good  for  something  better  than  sugar  and 
cotton;  for  Nooika  sound  commands  the  north  Pa- 
cific ocean,  and  will,  in  less  than  half  a  century,  be- 
come the  grand  emporium  for  the  commerce  of  the 
Oriental  world.  A  compromise  upon  the  49th  par- 
allel 13  continually  urgca  upon  us.  As  I  live,  and 
aa  I  shall  answer  to  my  constituents,  1  would  rather 
give  away  every  foot  of  it.  The  island  of  Vancou- 
ver ia  the  power  of  Oregon,  and  four-fifths  of  it,  in- 
eluding  Nootka  sound,  lies  above  the  parallel  of 
tSP.  Let  England  noiijsess  Nootka  sound,  the  fiuest 
harbor  in  the  world,  commanding  as  it  does  the 
atnita  of  Fuca,  and  consequently  the  access  to  Pu- 
gefa  sound,  and  she  has  ail  of  Oregon  worth  pos- 
seasing  in  a  commercial  and  maritime  point  of  view. 
She  would  hold  the  straits  of  Fuca  and  Pugei's 
sound  as  securely  as  the  trap  holds  the  mouse;  for 
hr  this  compromise,  she  also  secures  the  gulf  of 
Gkorgia  and  dueen  Charlotte  sound.  If  we  surren- 
der above  49°,  we  give  away  every  harbor  worth 
having  on  the  coast.  There  is  no  harbor  below  that 
would  give  shelter  to  a  fleet  of  canoes. 

But,  with  the  permission  of  the  Senate,  I  will 
read  a  short  extract  from  the  speech  I  have  before 
alluded  to,  of  the  distinguished  senator  from  Mis- 
Muri,  describing  Oregon  aa  it  is.    And  a  ntore  bold 


and  graphic  deaeription  was  never  tittered  in  thia 
chamber.    Hero  it  ia: 

"I  do  not  dilnto  apon  tho  ritlue  and  extent  of  thii  crsat 
country.  A  word  luMcei  to  diiplay  both.  In  extent  it  i« 
luri(vr  tliun  tUe  AtUntic  portion  of  thu  old  thirteen  United 

Htntui',  in  climate,  nuflur;  ia  lurtility,  greatur;  iii  talabrily, 
^uppriuri  iu  poiition,  bettor,  l)cc»ui,4  rrontlug  Alia,  rim 
wunhtiil  l)y  a  (nin(|uit  tea.  In  hII  tlu'au  purticultrt,  the 
western  klupo  of  our  continent  ia  l;tr  more  happy  than  tlio 
eiutern  In  conrigutntiaii,  it  h  iiiexareHailjIy  line  Hnil  grand 
II  vn>^t  ubloai;  Ni|iiiire,  with  n-jtural  l)oundurie4,  nnd  u  lin- 
!^l>'  Kutuway  into  Ihn  sea.  The  unuw-caiipud  liocky  mtuu- 
laiiiit  eiicloaH  it  to  tliu  eust,  an  irunlxiunu  coaat  on  the  west, 
a  fru/un  cluai.Tt  on  tlie  nurlJi,  niid  Handy  plaini  on  the  soutli. 
All  it<i  riven,  riaiiii;  ua  the  Kti^ineal  of  a  vast  cirrumfcr- 
eni-e,  niii  to  meet  eiich  other  in  the  centre,  and  then  flow 
to'.,'ether  into  tlie  ocean  throiii^h  a  i;up  in  the  mountain, 
where  the  hcatii  of  kummuruail  ihecoliia  of  winter  aru  ncr- 
er  lull,  and  where  nouthcra  and  northern  ilineuscs  nru  eriual- 
1}  uidinuwB  'I'hiii  ia  the  vulliy  of  the  Colamliia-a  coun- 
try whose  erery  advantage  ia  tr  ii'd  l<y  lae  adrantngea 
of  pixi'.ian  and  eiin(i.;iMati')ti;  liy  tlic  aivily  of  all  ita  (larts 
-till!  in:ie.cesHil)iiily  ul'  its  IjomIitj.  und  it)  i:ini;lc  inlro);re:i. 
KDii  tu  llie  sea.  Svuli  a  euiiiiliy  i ;  Ijirm  d  for  nn;on,  wcillh, 
a. id  HUiMi;r||i.  It  (ail  have  lint  our  (Mpital,  and  that  will  l>u 
u  Theliei,  hut  oiif  co;n;neici,il  i  n\|.i.' mm,  and  tliat  will  tio 
'I'jie,  <|iieen  (if  eilie«.  Such  f  I'l.unii)  cnii  linvn  but  oiiu 
pi'iijili'.  one  inliTeji,  oiii'  j^di  iiiii.i'nl;  and  l!ia'  i^eoplu 
!-ii.iiild  lie  .*.in,;ritan.  that  i;ilr.i-t  oiirs,  andli  .  [^overn- 
imntr^-jiiilili.a.i.  Accnru-d  and  infa.noua  bu  the  man  that 
di\i  Ie3  or  alienates  ill"' 

Tills  is  the  laiiijuige  o?  the  .si-nator  from  Missou- 
ri a  few  year.'(  hinc. ,  and  to  every  word  of  it  I  utlcr 
a  lic'irty  aiiicii. 

IVlr.  I'leiiilcnt,  ih'?  K|iiri:  of  rcsi:;latK:!;  to  prof;rfcs:i, 
v.'liii'li  we  witiie.'i--*  here  now,  u  an  iiiicieiit  as  our 
iMuntiy  in  old.  It  Ir.iy  been  seen  at  an  early  diy  in 
opjui.-ition  t'l  tiieHctiltiiieiii  ol'  Iventucky,  struggling 
to  (iinrme  our  republic  wiiliuat  the  Alleijlianius;  in 
veiiement  opposition  to  tiio  pnrclia.^u  of  Louisiana 
and  Florida;  in  uncharitaldi.;  (irorts  to  repel  Texas. 
l»ut  this  las^t  fury  af;ain.st  Orci^  in  ia  iin  iiirunlicide 
more  unjuHtifiable  and  fiendinh  than  all  iU  preilccefl- 
Hor.s,  for  it  feloniously  invoK'ts  llic  Hessian  pow'er 
of  British  tyranny  to  block  our  path,  nnd  hurl  US 
fjo.-n  the  trail  of  our  destiny,  it  will  |)roTO  the 
work  of  Sysiphus, 

There  were  some  positions  taken  by  the  distino 
guished  senator  from  Delaware,  [Mr.  Clatton,] 
in  which  I  find  it  impossible  to  concur.  He  SHg* 
bested  to  tlie  Senate  that  the  question  of  our  title  to 
Oregon  ought  not  to  be  made  the  subject  of  discua- 
fion  in  open  Senate;  and  indicated  the  propriety  of 
withholding  the  expression  of  our  opinions  on  a 
matter  which  might  hereafter  come  before  us  con- 
nected with  a  treaty — to  withhold  all  discussion  un- 
til these  galleries  shall  be  cleared,  and  these  doors 
closed.  In  this  sentiment  1  cannot  concur.  1  hold 
that  I  he  Oregon  question  has  become  the  propert]f 
of  (lie  American  people.  It  is  in  every  man's 
mouth,  and  but  one  question  is  asked  everywhere  in 
relation  to  it — ''Is  Oregon  our  own?"  If  it  ia,  then 
it  becomes  us  in  open  Senate  to  vindicate  our  'ght 
to  it.  There  is  no  cause  which  can  more  certainly 
and  fatally  impair  our  institutions,  none  that  will 
inores(ieeidily  insure  their  overthrow,  none  that  will 
so  assuredly  produce  anarchy,  as  the  conviction  in 
tho  hearts  of  the  people  that  their  pnblic  authori< 
ties  and  their  representatives  want  alike  the  energy 
and  the  ^{^  >nt  lO  assert  and  to  defend  the  rights  and 
the  hon.o- 1.,' the  nation.  It  is  the  opinion  of  six- 
seventhb  of  '1'^  American  people  that  Oregin  is 
our  — (perhatis  i  should  rather  say  five-sevenths,  for 
I  must  leave  r.it  of  the  estimate  the  commercial  and 
stock  jol  bin;  population  of  our  great  cities  along 
the  8e:.l)U)«.;(i,  a  great  portion  of  whotii  are  Englien 
subjecu*,  residing  among  m  for  the  pur(>i>8e  of  trafiie. 


mm!  many  othen  not  now  and  not  inlendini;  to  b«- 
eorrte  American  citizcnu;)  and  thcHS  five-aeTcnlhii 
hoki  that  if  the  territory  ia  ours,  we  should  aa- 
fcrt  (  ^r  title  to  it  and  take  it.  ir  there  ever 
waa  a  quoation  on  earth  which  demanded  dia- 
Ausaion  beforo  the  grout  tribunal  of  iho  pub- 
lic, it  ia  the  qucttion  of  title  to  Oregon.  More 
tlian  all  othjcrs,  it  intcrcsta  thu  people  of  thia  coun- 
try at  this  hour;  and  moru  than  all  others  titty  have 
the  right  to  know  each  and  cvury  step  taken  by 
their  government  and  their  rcpiescntiitivca.  Lr.t 
the  title  to  Oregon  be  argued  here  in  the  glare  of 
day,  beforo  the  bai  of  the  Americon  people.  Smother 
it  not,  smother  it  not.  The  hour  will  be  melancholy 
in  our  lil^tory  when  u  question  like  thiif,  upon 
which  thit  (Hiople  lutvu  p.iHHeil  in  judgiricnt,  Hhall  be 
withdrawn  from  public  vicv<  fur  ti  decision  iti  m: 
crct  and  in  (larkncaa.  i  dhc  i  fear  it  an  tlx^  brief 
prelude;  to  the  enltiinco  of  sorno  Ciiiun  firuccliis  in 
this  CDnRCiralo.!  chaiiitiur,  ■•  Un^m  heart,  lii;?  wiili  tlie 
fires  of  froi;(l()in,  antl  nuscd  liv  ii  niiiiit;  of  publn; 
wrong,  tliould  impel  lii.ii  lo  trtiio|ili:  iipnri  tin;  cher- 
ished form.",  nnd  the  aolonmily  of  thin  body;  hy  a 
simple  rhunge  of  attitude,  luriiin,;;  from  the  t,\mii- 
tiuin  nnd  that  venerated  cliair,  U}  udJreua  the  gi  ent 
Forum  v.  ithont. 

In  Nurh  11  at;tke  BH  tbii  111  people  dtfmanil  a  hear- 
ing. If  It  i.>)  ours,  fihall  we  fe.ir  t)  avow  i'..'  If  it  is 
Kngbiid\<,  wc  wnnt  it  not.  Here,  liere,iiiiil  now,  is 
the  place  and  the  hour  lo  diMcuHs  the  title,  ti.  it  our 
country  m.iy  know,  if  a  trculy  iihould  conii-,  whetli- 
er  her  fcrvanlB  have  Riistained  iicr  intereata  and  her 
honor,  or  aliundoncd  them. 

There  was  another  pcinl  in  the  rcmnrlc.i  of  the 
honfirn''li!  and  (!i8'ini;uiHlietl  srn.iinr,  in  v.'hioh  I 
could  ii'.'l  concur.  1  unite  heartily  with  that  nerialor 
in  the  de.are  lo  put  the  country  in  a  nmrc  eilii'icnt 
posture  of  defence.  In  all  the  cnnvcrsationa  we  have 
cad  tog:! her  on  that  subject,  our  views  and  senti- 
ments entirely  agree.  But  I  must  utterly  object  to 
having  the  power  of  England  held  op  in  thim  body, 
with  a  view  to  act  upon  the  nerves  of  the  American 
people. 

The  honorable  aenatnr  has  arrayed  before  ua  the 
mighty  naval  power  of  England,  the  number  of  her 
ships  of  war,  her  sailors,  and  her  guns,  and  the  com- 
paratively diminutive  force  we  present.  I  think  a 
close  scrutiny  would  lessen  the  exhibit  of  her  avail- 
able forcu,  and  increase  that  of  oura;  but  that  is  aot 
to  my  purpose  at  present.  If  that  senator  by  thi.^ 
intended  to  awe  us  into  a  compromise  by  the  surren- 
der of  our  territory,  it  was  certainly  both  ill-timed 
nnd  ill-planned;  that  would  better  have  become  a  se- 
cret session.  The  idea  of  surrendering  without  an 
effort,  because  of  the  numerical  superiority  of  the 
enemy,  whether  in  guns  or  men,  is  new  to  me  in  mil- 
itary hiijtory.  1  admit  that  it  is  right  and  proper 
to  examine  the  force  of  Great  Britain,  but  at  the 
aame  time  we  ought  not  to  forget  or  undervalue  our 
own.  The  American  people  cannot  be  alarmed; 
they  arc  not  to  be  awed  by  any  such  representa- 
tions. 

Were  all  the  fleets  of  England  gathcre<i  in  one 
body,  their  approach  would  create  no  terror  in  the 
American  heart.  Our  people  remember  that  more 
than  sixty  years  ago,  one  small  American  frigate, 
commanded  by  John  Paul  .Tones,  made  its  way 
through  her  navies,  to  ravage  England's  coasts  and 
pillage  her  palace?,  nnd  returned  m  triumph.  They 
have  i!C)t  forgotten  the  names  of  Decatur,  Hull,  Per- 
ry, Porter,  the  Joneses,  McDonough,  Stewart,  and 
a  glorious  host  beside,  who  united  to  indomitable 


courage  and  lofty  heroism  a  burning  love  for  their 
eountry  nnd  its  free  and  happy  institutions.  Though 
England's  gima  were  a  huiiured  to  one,  the  heart  or 
the  nation  would  not  tremble,  while  her  eye  wflfi 
on  the  roll  of  these  bright  and  undying  names,  and 
her  memory  full  of  their  deeds  of  noble  daring. 

The  honorable  senator  (juoted  to  us  the  words  of 
Eiiglond's  model  monarch  w'len  he  was  deliberotirfg 
the  invasion  of  France.  It  is  plain  the  senator  haH 
not  learned  his  rules  of  war  from  Harry  the  Fifth. 
The  Honaior  did  not  quote  fir  rnough.  For,  as  tho 
great  drumati.st  tclla  us,  when  the  king  was  assured 
liy  the  archbiflhop,  on  whose  learning  he  so  greatly 
relied,  that  his  title  to  France  was  valid,  that  it  was, 
in  a  word,  "clear nnd  unmirsfionable,"  what  did  ha 
do?  Did  he  hcaitatc'  Did  he  paufic  and  inquire, 
"IJut  where  are  my  tinofiH? — and  where  are  my 
aliiph,' — nnd  liow  inuny  tjuim  do  they  carry.' — 
arc  lliey  in  number  cipial  to  the  enemy?"  Not  at 
(ill.  Ilelyiiij.' on  the  cciiraije  of  hit  ncldicr.-:,  and  the 
.•■lupiun  t  of  Gud  to  the  jiiniiee  ofhin  rcuce,  he  g.ivo 
ordi.Ts  lit  once  to  march,  -iritl.on  the  firkl  of  Agin- 
cniirt — tfie  mnstgloiious  field  F.nj;liind  ever  saw — ho 
iviot  hii  oneiiiieH  wiiliout  trr'umy,  tliou'jh  more  than 
ten  lo  one  agai  st  liini,  am!  friirri  Iuh  h'-ave  nndeon- 
fiih  lit  heart,  nied  aloud  that  he  lonld  almost  wiali 
llie  niiiiibei- of  his  little  hand ';ti!l  les.  i.  With  that 
lianilfnl  of  irninc'lilc  PoldierH  h?  viiriquished  F'nincc 
and  all  her  miiUitnd'',  aiirl  won  for  liiriiseir  nnd  ihciii 
arenown  lantinnrn.s  llie  foundatirin.'j  of  the  world. 

The  fienator  did  not  lejrn  liia  nrt  of  war  from  fhft 
greatem  (if  the  IlornuiH — tli<'  immortal  .Uilius.  Had 
"the  r()renit).st  man  in  i.ll  the  world"  u^ted  on  the 
eaii'louf!  policy  of  the  hoiinr.'.UIe  grntlcman  from 
Delaware,  he  would  have  left  ih'' triumph  of  Phar- 
paiia  to  the  glory  of  Pornpey,  v/hose  number.?  wer« 
d(inl)le  hi!i  own.  Nor  did  he  leaun  in  the  school  of 
the  great  Frederick,  nor  of  Guslnvns  Adolphus,  nor 
of  our  own  Washington  nnd  Jaekaon.  No,  eir;  the 
sienator  learnt  from  none  of  these  the  rules  of  contest 
ill  aslriiggle  for  the  right. 

In  looking  at  the  course  of  the  di.stinguished  sena- 
tor from  South  Caiolinn,  [Mr,  CtniooM,]  I  find 
that,  three  years  ago  last  month,  that  able  and  dis- 
tinguished gentleman  opposed,  in  this  chamber,°a. 
bill  which  proposed  to  take  possession  of  Oregon^ 
to  tho  same  extent  and  no  further  than  England  had 
olready  done;  and  his  opposition  was  based  on  tho 
expense  of  the  measures  proposed.  The  estimates 
for  carrying  those  measures  into  effect  did  not  ex- 
ceed $100,W)0;  and  the  utmost  amount  they  would 
have  cost  could  not  have  exceeded  $200,000.  And 
on  that  occasion,  when  speaking  against  the  bill  for 
military  posts  and  occupation,  he  suggested  the  no- 
lice  (which  he  now  opposes)  as  a  necessary  ]. i eliiti- 
inary  measure  to  all  other  action.  Three  years  ago^ 
he  opposed  the  measures  because  they  were  prema- 
ture, and  now  he  opposes  the  notice  which  waa  theik^ 
the  essential  preliminary.  He  then  contended  that 
the  notice  to  Great  Britain  of  the  termination  of  the 
'  convention  should  precede  the  extension  of  our 
laws  to  Oregon;  yet  now,  when  that  very  thing  is 
proposed,  that  senator  vehemently  opposes  it.  .  E 
cannot,  I  acknowledge,  comprehend  wnat.are  his  in- 
tentions, unless  they  arise  from  an  uncompromisin|f 
and  deadly  hostility  to  the  acquisition  of  any  tern-. 
lory  in  Oregon  beyond  what  wc  now  hold  by  actital 
gctilrment,  ond  even  Ihat,  perhaps,  he  regards  as  a. 
proper  subject  of  compromise.  On  that  occaaioa 
the  honorable  senator,  with  tho  ability  which  char- 
acterizes all  his  efforts,  presented  to  the  Senate  a 
comprehensive  and  graphic  view  of  the  then  state  olT 


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'•■riivl'C   .i-  "•''.  l:'rT-     ■        : 

tKe  fin^neea  aod  th*  eountry.  He  traj/  repreaentad 
tha  country  as  being  on  the  road  to  ruin,  embarraaa* 
ed  at  every  point,  and  sinking  deeper  and  deeper  at 
<very  8tep>  The  great  cause  of  our  then  depressed 
condition  was  represented  by  the  senator  to  be  an 
opDreasive  system  oftaxation. 

I  am  as  strongly  in  favor  of  a  revenue  tariff  as  the 
senator  from  South  Carolina.  But  I  cannot  resist 
the  conclusion  that,  as  his  prediction  of  the  result 
has  failed,  so  his  assignment  of  causes  was  imper- 
fect. He  predicted  that  the  government  would 
founder;  that  event  has  not  occurred,  and  so  far 
from  it,  we  are  this  day  in  a  condition  of  as  high 
prosperity  as  the  world  has  ever  witnessed. 

During  the  past  season,  the  farmer,  tiie  planter, 
and  the  artisun,  have  nil  received  a  rich  reward  for 
.  toil  and  industry;  we  huvc  an  overflowing  treasury; 
and  that  too  at  a  period  when  no  false  ciiuses  exist 
to  produce  the  deceptive  appearance  of  unreal  wealtli. 
■  Sir,  the  unhappy  condition  of  our  finances  three 
years  since  can  only,  and  justly  be  attributed  to 
causes  which  run  back  as  far  as  183G,  uiid  to  n  grcui 
extent  were  continued  during  the  two  following 
years.  The  general  prostration  from  which  we  had 
not  recovered  in  1843,  was  the  result  of  that  worth- 
less and  bloated  paper  currency,  the  creation  of  those 
deadly  foea  to  free  institutions,  licartless,  irresponsi- 
ble, unprincipled  corporations,  with  wh'ch  the  coun- 
try was  studded  from  one  end  to  the  ouicr.  A  re- 
newal of  the  paper  system  of  currency,  under  any 
mode  or  principle  of  taxation,  will  forever  be  at- 
tended with  the  same  disastrous  results,  which  have 
Already  twice  marked  the  history  of  our  country. 

if  it  was  proper  three  years  since  to  commence 
with  the  notice,  as  a  necessary  preliminary  to  all 
ueasureQ  for  taking  possession  or  Oregon,  why  is  it 
not  so  now  ? 

But  the  senator  from  South  Carolina  is  wedded  to 
a  different  plan — a  plan  which  avoids  all  action.  He 
iff  for  leaving  the  whole  matter  to  the  silent,  quiet, 
naiaeless  operation  of  time,  and  the  gradual  en- 
^oaohments  of  our  hardy  and  enterprising  settlers 
who  have  gone,  and  are  going,  into  the  territory. 
Does  not  every  one  know  that  all  the  while  they  arc 
making  these  very  noiseless  and  quiet  encroach- 
menta,  they  are  exposed  to  the  British  bayonet? 
And  whilst  a@  exposed  you  refuse  them  the  protec- 
tion of  American  laws,  and  American  tribunals. 
Such  a  state  of  things  would  inevitably  produce 
repetitions  of  the  Caroline  affair. 

But  do  gentlemen  flatter  themselves  that  we  can 
thus  lake  Oregon  and  England  know  nothing  of  it? 
Will  they  not  understand  thl's  policy  as  well  as  we? 
And  when  they  perceive  the  plan  likely  to  take  ef- 
fect, will  they  not  be  on  their  guard?  If  we  press 
our  population  upon  them,  will  they  not,  in  turn, 
press  their  pauper  population  upon  us?  Which  of  the 
two  plans  will  most  consult  the  honor  of  this  coun- 
try? Which  story  shall  we  rather  leave  on  record 
as  a  heritage  to  our  posterity — the  plan  of  the  honcr- 
•ble  senator,  to  get  the  territory  by  silent  encroach- 
ment, or  that  advocated  by  gentlemen  on  the  other 
aide,  who  are  for  demanding  tho  territory  because  it 
ia  ours?  Shall  we  take  it  openly  and  boldly  by  a 
Btraightforward  manly  course? — or  shall  we  get  it 
covertly,  slily,  stealthily?  Wo,  I  will  not  say  stealth- 
ily; I  will  not  employ  any  term  that  may  imply  the 
alighlcst  disrespect  to  the  honorable  senator;  I  will 
not  fay  stealthily,  but  I  will  say  circuitously;  yes, 
that  is  the  word — circuitously.  I  would  not  say 
anything  that  could  bb  a  cause  of  oiTcncc  to  the  hon- 
orable gentleman  from  South   Carolina     I  have  no 


If 


such  feetiAg  toward  li{ai.  t  holdthat  honorable 
senator  in  too  much'  rekpect;  I  have  too  much  es- 
teem and  regard  for  him.  I  would  not  for  the  world 
pluck  one  leaf  from  the  laurel  that  enwieathcs  his 
venerated  brow.  He  has  ably  served  his  country  in 
many  and  various  important  stations;  i  hope  and 
Cru;t  he  will  do  nothing  that  shall  mar  the  page  in 
this  nation's  history  which  he  is  destined  to  fill,  t 
respect  his  acquisitions;  above  all,  I  venerate  his 
virtues — the  spotless  purity  of  his  private  life.  It 
is  on  these  that  the  future  American  Plutarch  will 
most  delight  to  dwell.  But  the  senator's  course  is 
circiiitouif — ours  in  direct.  Which,  I  nsk,  will  do 
most  honor  to  a  country  like  t!iia>  Which  will 
read  tKe  best?  Sir,  how  will  it  read  alorij;  iside  of 
the  history  of  '76?  Then  the  whole  population  of 
a  range  of  Allantiii  colonies,  sooner  than  submit  tc 
the  exaction  of  a  slight  tax,  took  up  arms  and  went 
into  the  appeal  of  battle.  They  stood  for  their 
rights  in  many  u  bloody  field,  and  they  conquered 
tlioNc  rights  from  the  mightiest  and  (he  haughtiest 
power  the  world  ever  saw.  Such  was  the  first  chapter 
of  our  history,  rend  and  studied  by  the  nations  of 
the  Old  World.  But  what  is  to  be  the  second  chap- 
tor?  At  first  wc  had  but  three  millions  of  people; 
now  wc  have  twenty  millions.  Our  wealth,  our 
power,  our  energy  have  increased  in  more  than  a 
like  proportion.  And  now  the  same  old  enemy 
claims  a  great  empire  on  our  western  coast,  and  the 
descendants  of  that  same  people  resolve,  sooner 
than  resist,  to  surrender  their  rights,  and  let  her 
take  it.  I  trust  no  such  chapter  is  to  be  written  in 
our  history. 

And  now  a  word  or  two  on  the  proposition  for  ar- 
bitration. We  learn  fronrj  the  complexion  of  a  great - 
portion  of  the  press,  the  prompt  rejection  of  the  offer 
of  arbitration  by  pur  government  meets  the  nioel 
decided  disapprobation  m  certain  quarters.  Coming 
from  the  quarter  it  does,  this  condemnation  by  the 
press,  so  far  from  weakening,  gives  strength  to  the 
administration.  It  is  the  best  proof  of  its  merits. 
Arbitration?  Arbitrate  what?  Arbitrate  a  ques- 
tion which  admits  of  no  debate,  as  was  done  in  the 
case  of  Maine?  Submit  oiir  rights  to  the  decision 
of  a  crowned  head,  who,  when  the  treaty  was  sub- 
mitted to  him,  spoke  of  a  boundary  line  which  ran 
from  the  northwest  branch  of  a  certain  river,  took 
tho  northeastern  branch  of  it !  If  a  man  should 
claim  the  farm  for  which  I  hold  a  government  pa- 
tent, and  because  my  neighbor,  who  f;et  up  the 
claim,  happened  to  be  a  very  rich  nan,  and  very 
influential  in  the  neighborhood — a  mr  who  was  al- 
ways foffnenting  quarrels  , among  his  neighbors — 
threatens  to  seize  my  property,  mus^  I  consent  to 
submit  my  title  to  arbitratioti  by  :<itranger8,  and 
with  no  assurance  that  the  money  of  my  adversairy 
may  not  corrupt,  or,  at  least,  prejudice  the  minds  of 
the  arbitrators?  If  a  man  claims  a  house  and  lot, 
and  goes  to  law  to  support  his  title,  will  ho  suhmil 
his  right  to  orbitration?  No;  he  will  any,  let  the  Iciw 
take  its  course.  Just  so  ought  we  to  do  in  this  quen- 
tion  of  our  Mile  to  Oregon. 

There  is  aaothcr  point  which  I  cannot  omit  to 
touch  upoB;and  that  is,  the  contrast  in  the  course  of 
the  honorable  senator  on  i  •'»$  subject  of  Oregon  and 
that  of  the  annexation  of  Texas.  That  honorable 
gentleman  now  stands  before  tha  country  in  ft  very 
prominent  attitude  as  the  advocate  of  peace.  Peace 
IS  all  his  cry;  an  honorable  adjustmeAtof  this  ques- 
(inn  so  as  to  preserve  peace.  But  how  waa  it  when 
Texas  stood  before  ur.  asking  to  be  annexed  to  ihia 
republic?     At  that  time  the  senator  did  cot  hoM 


11 


lat  honorable 

too  much  fl«> 
t  for  the  world 
nwseathcf)  his 
his  country  in 
;  i  hope  and 
ir  the  page  Jn 
inec  to  fill,    t 

venerate  hig 
ivntc  life.  It 
Plutarch  will 
nr'a  course  is 
i  nsk,  will  do 
Which  wilJ 
alot)^  :5i(le  of 

population  of 
:)an  .submit  tc 
irms  and  went 
lod  for  their 
ley  conquered 
the  hauahticsl 
ie  first  chapter 
ihe  nationa  of 
:  second  ch»p' 
ms  of  people; 
ir  wealih,  our 

more  than  a 
le  old  enemy 
coast,  and  the 
isolve,  BOoiMtr 
I,  and  let  her 
be  written  in 

•osiiion  for  Rr- 
fcionof  agreat- 
on  of  the  offer 
lects  the  niojsl 
ters.  Comiiig 
ination  by  the 
trcngth  to  the 
of  its  mcrite. 
trate  a  ques' 
83  done  in  the 
I  the  decision 
eaty  woa  sub- 
ine  which  ran 
lin  river,  took 
k  man  should 
vernmcnt  pa- 
ho  f:et  up  the 
nan,  and  very 
who  was  al- 
!  ntighbors — 
I  consent  to 
itrangers,  and 
my  adversary 
e  t.he  minds  of 
house  and  lot, 
^ill  ho  Huhmil 
?iy,  let  the  Idw 
o  in  thisquea- 

annot  omit  to 
the  course  of 
>f  Oregon  and 
hat  honorable 
itry  in  ft  very 
peace.  Peace 
tof  this  i]ues- 
V  waEi  it  when 
inexoJ  to  thii 
did  not  held 


ip«a^t(>  be'quftc  so  \&^ip^^.Jf'»Willik',M] 


to  his  letter  addressed  tQ  Mr.  Ivingt  at  veinu',  a  let- 
ter whose  language  could  not  but  be  ^o  the  last  de- 
gree offensive  to  the  uritiEh  government;  so  much 
so,  that  if  we  should  get  into  a.  war  now,  I  should 
not  be  surprised  if,  after  <\1),  that  letter  ^as  at  the 
bottom  of  it.  The  senator  then  p7anted.hinnself on 
the  highest  ground.  He  openly  defied  Brieland  on 
that  question  of  annexation.  But  what  isliis  tone 
now?  He  is  willing  now  to  buy  England  off  with 
five  and  a  half  dcgrecB  of  Oregon. 

Upon  the  qncstirtn  involve(l  in  my  second  re.so- 
lution,  that  ihei-e  is  no  power  in  this  govemn^cnt 
to  alienate  the  soil,  and  transfer  ilie  aliegiance  of  its 
cilir.cns  to  any  foroisn   power  wliatcver. 

The  sen.Ttor  from  South  Cdrolina  assumes,  in  op- 
poailioii  to  this  j)rinciplfi,  mat  the  treaty-making 
power  can  exerct.ic  it  under  the  pretext  of  settling 
Doundarics.  Treaties  can  only  be  made  by,orthrough, 
the  instrumentality  of  the  .sovereign  power.  Where 
that  power  is  undelegated  by  the  people,  or  any  por- 
tion of  them,  it  in  unlsnn.i'.cd,  as  in  Russia  and  Tur- 
key. In  constiimiona!  monarchies,  such  as  Eng- 
land and  France,  it  is  >.uore  circumscribed;  but 
where  the  limit  to  the  treaty-making  power  begins 
or  endfl  with  them,  I  never  have  been  able  to  discov- 
er. In  the  mixed  t'orm  of  the  English  government, 
where  the  aristocratical  .ind  the  monarchical  princi- 
ple tdtr.rnatoly  prevails,  there  are  certain  checks,  to 
be  sure;  but  they  are  essentially  of  the  one  upon 
the  other,  and  mainly  discretionary  in  the  cr'wn. 
There  isacarcely  a  power,  no  matter  bow  arbitra- 
ry, the  exercise  of  whioli  by  the  British  crown 
cannot  be  justified,  at  least  by  analogy,  if  not  by 
precedent,  under  the  British  constitution,  whenever 
the  occasion  authorizes  the  use  of  the  word  necessi- 
ty— ncce.ssity. 

But  fortunately  foi,-  us,  happily  for  mankind,  a 
different  state  of  things  exists  here;  and  consequent- 
ly we  cannot  be  pointed  to  their  practice  for  prece- 
dents in  our  conduct.  Ours  is  a  limited  govern- 
ment, fi  government  of  delngated^iowers,  every  one 
of  which  is  plainly  expressed;  nothing  is  lefl  to 
implication.  Ther^  is  no  avenue  here  for  the  silent 
ntiarch  of  usurpation,  under  the  plea — alike  the 
plea  of  the  tyrant  and  the  demagogue— ej;jj<i<i«nci/. 

The  limit  of  the  treaty-making  power  is  confined, 
cguallv  %vith  the  legislative  and  Judicial  powers. 
They  can  none  of  them  transcend  tne  express  crea- 
tions of  the  conmitution  itself.  And  the  ascertain- 
ment of  the  extent  of  each  and  every  power,  of.  the 
true  intent  of  every  article,  is  governed  and  con- 
trolled by  the  same  rule  of  construction  which 
prevails  with  all  other  laws;  and  that  rule  is  a  refer- 
ence to  the  context  for  the  spirit  and  meaning  of 
the  whole  instrument. 

Happily  the  spirit  and  meaning  of  the  constitu- 
tion of^the  United  States  is  plainly  and  explicitly 
declared  by  a  portion  of  the  context: 

"The  power-mot  iluk'gatcd  to  the  UnUed  Stbtje*  ^]r ,  the 
conslitutioii,  uoi-  piohibitoJ  by  it  to  Ui«.^tat».»,are  »e«firve4 
to  the  States  rospectivoly,  or  to  the  people."— jJrhVl*  10, 
•^ntndmtnts  Can.  U.  S. 

Such  is  the  plain,  ani  not  to  be  misapprchcnJed 
language  of  the  Iflth  article  ofthe  amendments  to  the 
constitution.  '1  his  comprehensive  article  declarer 
the  spirit  and  the  mcanin;^,  and  fixes  impastnible 
boundaries  Vi  the  liiMita  of  the  wliole  instrument, 
and  of  all  tiio  powers  of  the  federal  government 
c«ated  and  existing  under  its  agency. 
And  now  comes  my  second  resolution  : 
RtiilveJ,  That  there  esuals  BO  power  io  Ail  govsroBMt 


totraasfer  its  soil,  and  ihs  Itllegiance  cf  it>rci(|Kens,  to  tbc 
dominioii,  autherUy.coiktfot,  and  cobjiictien,  of  any  toreiga 
power,  prince,  Htate,  or  (overcigntj-. 

Unless  the  language  of  this  resolution  is  true, 
oure  is  no  longer  a  gpvernment  of  limited  powers, 
or  rather  it  never  has  been  such. 

If  it  is  not  true,  in  the  creation  of  the  treaty- 
making  power,  there  was  planted  a  mystic  and  im- 
plied power,  beyond  the  plain  meaning,  the  appa- 
rent spirit,  and  the  common  understanding  of  the 
instrument. 

The  reverse  of  the  principle  contained  in  this 
resolution,  QRsertfl  for  the  President  and  Senate  dis- 
cretionary powers,  to  which  there  nre  no  bounds.  If 
the  President  and  Sonaiocan  alienate  the  soil  ofthe 
republic,  and  transfer  the  iillegiance  of  its  citizens, 
what  further  step  in  necesaury  to  the  creation  of  a 
despotism  ?  1  know  of  none;  for  they  involve  the 
very  highest  prerogatives  of  unlimited  monarchy. 

This  is  not  t;  question  cf  boundaries.  No  ou:h 
question  is  raised  by  my  resolutions.  And  tlie 
counter  resolutions  of  the  senator  from  South  Caro- 
lina are  but  an  evasion  of  the  real  issue.  We  show 
a  title  to  Oregon;  England  shows  none — assumce 
none.  To  Rurrendor  a  portion  of  our  soil  on  such  a  pre- 
text, ia  to  con'-eal  the  real  motive  of  action,  which 
is,  that  England  i.s  powerful,  and  we  arc  wcnk.  In 
plain  wordi,  the  motive  must  be  dread  of  England. 

Sir,  the  doctrines  to  which  I  have  just  adverted 
open  a  range  which  no  eye  at  present  can  begin  to 
compas.s.  If  we  adopt  for  our  guide  the  practice  of 
other  countries  in  making  treaties,  if  we  allow  thia 
undefined  range  to  the  treaty-making  power  at  this 
point,  mut5t  we  not  at  once  admit  its  supremacy 
elsewhere.'  If  they  possess  this  the  hiohest  attribute 
of  earthly  power,  where  is  the  restricUon  upon  their 
control  over  the  whole  revenue  system  of  the  coun- 
try by  commercial  treaties,  fixing  the  rate  of  im- 
portation duties?  It  is  in  vain  to  say  that  the  con- 
stitution gives  to"  Cotig~r<s3"  the  righ t 'to  "/ay  anrfcof- 
lect  dulies,  iwposts,"&c.,and  ihatnll  "bills  for  revenue 
shall  originate  in  the  House  of  Representatives.'" 
The  .same  instrument  expressjy  reserves  to  "Con-, 
gress"  "the  right  to  dispose  of  and  make  all  needfulruUs 
and  regidttlions  respeclifig  the  territory  and  other  prop- 
erty of  the  United  Stalet,"  &c.  The  term  "dispose" 
here,  it  can  be  easily  shovvn,  does  not  imply  the 
power  to  alienate,  but  it  is  not  neces.sary  for  my 
present  ptirpose,  should  it  evei  be  contended  to  the 
contrary,  as  I  merely  wish  to  show  that  ""Cong^t-ess," 
and  not  the  President  and  Senate,  is  fhe  constituted, 
guardian  of  the  territories  of  the  United  States. 

If  the  power  now  claimed   for  the   President  ami 
Senate  is  Qdmitted,  you   can   at  "one  fell  swoop"" 
expalriate  Iowa  and  Wisconsin,  should   Englatid. 
claim  them.     Upon  the   same  principle',  the  treaty-, 
making   pow'-rcpn  , /jurrender  this  Dimrict,  should 
England  sfiriip  sorpc  antiquated  claim,     l.^wy  npoli 
the  same  principle,  ?or  principles  are  in  themselves 
fixed  and  invnovaM^^'ajilJ  .caii^ot  be  ch'nng,p4  to  eiih 
ever-shifiih^'  opijriigns.'  .Ojuf  ,t^t!e,to  Onego^is  sus- 
tained. by,tlie^^conci\ri-r'~.c.e  ,Qf  ,hi»tpr,y  antl'.^.f.  cv^- 
dehce,  ap(Mf  wen9,^;siu;j;tp/^er,'ib  north, g/'ilip  pnf.-, 
allot  "^L'f  49^,  it  iS  the'rehnquisn'meht  of  i\  clear  an'd" 
established  right  tfi  a  territory  large  enough    for  nn 
empire.     And  thi.^  relinquishment  is  urged  U|>on  us 
for  the  .sake  of  peace. 

]\lr.  Presiilent,  v;ar  i:i  to  he  deplored;  it  in  a  grt  av 
calamity;  bu'.  the  warninga  of  history  are  ful,-c,  its 
many  memorials  but  idle  tales,  if  there  is  not  a  t'.r. 
greater  cnbmity  for  nations — a  purchi\acd  nnd  i!is- 
grRccfwl  peace.     Bloated   and  cncrvr.tod  China  i.' (^. 


I? 


12 


living  witness  of  the  faet  ModerH  Italj  atill  groans 
under  the  curse  inflicted  upon  her  centuries  ago  by 
a  feeble  empire,  whose  tyranny  she  might  h«ve  re- 
aidted,  but  did  not.  To  this  hour  the  ignoble  de- 
scendants of  the  most  heroic  race  the  ancient  world 
ever  saw,  exhibit  the  degrading  effects  of  cringing 
submission.  Alas!  alas!  for  the  endless  train  of 
woes  which  awaits  the  nation  won  from  the  aaser- 
tion  of  her  rights  by  the  allurements  of  luxury  and 
peace. 

Upon  the  other  hand,  consecrated  Marathon, 
through  the  lapse  of  iwenty-five  centuries,  still  bcara 
fresh  witnsss  to  the  glory  of  the  heroic  Greeks, 
who  disdained  a  purchased  peace.  Bunker  Hill, 
Trenton,  and  Yorktown,  are  monuments  on  the 
pageof  history,  and  on  our  own  sacred  soil  of  the 
same  noble  resolution.  And  this  whole  land,  the 
youngest  and  fdiresl  daughter  of  earth,  tlie  favored 
of  God,  is  the  enduring  and  eternal  monument  of 
thoae  who  pre'errcd  resiylance  tooubmiseian,  and  all 
the  perils  of  a  most  unequal  and  deadly  htiiTo,  to 
the  debasing  plpasures  of  a  purcliusi-d,  and  there- 
fore an  ic^;;omininua  pttice. 

But  you  rnusi  let  us  alone  with  our  trafTn'.!  Siir 
not,  or  our  commerce  is  luincil!  You  hud  bettci 
surrender  Ori'gon  t'lan  diyturb  our  IrafTic! 

Such  is  this  day  the  hinguaije  of  the  descendants 
of  thoae  who  muiie  thai  glorious  choice.  Let  us 
traffic!  Traflfir,  on,  I  say,  but  do  not  barter  away 
your  country's  territory,  unJ  her  last,  her  ))riccles.s 
jewel — her  honor.  Do  not  traffic,  ns  did  the  bast 
Judeiui,  who,  for  thirty  piecca,  sold  "«  ;)car/ ric/irr 
than  all  his  Uihc.''^  Traffic  on;  but,  for  the  love  of 
Heaven,  do  not  traffic,  in  the  allegianco  of  freemen 
and  the  freedom  of  your  fellow-citizens. 

It  was  the  splendid  lansuage  of  a  famous  Eng- 
lishman— ^^ I  regard  the  ItgalUbtrty  ofthemrantst  man 
irt  Britain  os  much  as  my  own,  »ni  I  Konlil  defend  it 
with  the  same  «n<." 

This  noble  sentiment  should  of  itself  preserve  the 
writings  of  its  author  to  all  poiterity.  But.  if  it  bo 
good  in  an  Englishman,  how  much  dearer  should 
Its  application  be  to  every  American.  Yet  what 
American  can  utter  it  who  would  be  willing  to  trans- 
fer his  fellow-citizena  to  the  bondage  of  a  monarch'^ 
rule  ?  I  cherish  this  lofty  sentiment  of  the  patriotic 
Englishman,  and  I  cherish  it  the  more  as  I  contem- 
plate its  comprehenaiTcncss.  Is  it  regard  for  the 
legal  liberty  of  the  American  citizen  to  transfer  him 
and  his  to  the  dominion  and  control  of  the  English 
monarchy.'  Where  is  your  warrant  for  ceding 
Away  five  degrees  and  a  half  of  Oregon?  Where  is 
your  warrant  for  withdrawing  the  aigis  of  yoar  con- 
stitution artd  laws  from  any,  even  the  meanest  of 
your  citizens,  who  may  have  fixed  his  habitation 
on  the  most  remote  *and  steril  point  in  all  your  do- 
minions.' Is  the  senator  from  8.  Carolina  prepared 
and  willing  to  transfer  any,  even  though  it  be  the 
poor  pioneer,  whose  sinewy  form  first  parts  the 
tangled  forest  to  let  in  upon  the  eternal  solitudes  the 
light  of  day;  from  whose  rude  hut  the  first  smoke 
of  the  pak  face  curls  in  the  wildemessr  8hall  free- 
dom's eabbath  be  no  more  for  him?  Par,  far  away, 
Mtd  lonely  ua  he  is,  he  Itas  his  domestic  aitar,  and 


before  it  Ood  and  freedom  are  worshipped  together. 
He  has  h:a  household  gods — the  names  his  msUier 


taught  him,  perhaps  in  South  Carolina,  perhaps  in 

Massachusetts,  wnen  he,  a  fair-haired  boy, 

by  her  side.     He  has  taught  in  turn,  and  he  hears 


them' daily  from  'isping  childhood,  and  first  of  these 
is  Washmgton.  Where  is  the  steel-clad  hand, 
where  the  iron  heart,  that  would  break  do  5f  n  this  al- 
tar, desecrate  this  worship,  and  change  upon  his 
children's  lips  the  name  of  Washington  for  Eng- 
land's (ineen?  Rather,  were  that  hut  mine,  should 
its  fif-e  go  out  forever — rather,  far  rather,  should  the 
serpent  wind  it^  deviouN  way  among  the  lifeless 
bodies  of  the  best  loved  of  my  heart,  to  coil  and  hiss 
unharmed  ufon  the  lieirthatone. 

But  I  have  no  fears  for  Oregon,  none,  if  the  voire 
of  the  American  peo|)le  can  be  hcurd.  I  would  be 
willing  this  hour  to  liy  .nr.iile  al!  further  quemion 
here,  and  let  the  ni;,tt-ir  no  ,i.^;\iM  to  ihoin.  I  say 
aj;ain,  for  they  hav.'  rtUi':\<'y  mule  one  deci.-iion  in 
favor  of  ihe  whole  teiritory.  The  ii;ii)tfiil  was  made 
by  the  Biitimore  cdiivottii'-in  to  (he  n:ition  for  the 
whole  of  Orej^iii,  wliii'li  v;^.<  nns  wtrcJ  by  th-i  elec- 
tion of  .Tani-.i  Iv.  l'<>;ic  aivl  Geoi-^e  M  D.illaa. 
Suumit  to  ilie  |i:':>|i'ii  a.;'  i'l  ''>e  ([iicstioti  of  "Oregon 
<.rnoOrr-oii.>"'4iiOi.r;>lo.!(i?"  Ifthree-fifihsdo  not 
respond  "54"  40',"  'tun  whole  of  Oregon,"  I  never 
would  -.itter  thf  word  aiviiii.  My  fiMris  nit  of  the 
people.  My  fear  is  lest  tiii:?  q'uslion  sMiould  be 
slranfilrd  here.  When  ih;'.  ilooi:<  urc  clo.'i.^tr,  and 
tlicTC  is  no  eye  1 1  s-'ce  what  we  lio,  I  fc.ir  it  iniiy  meet 
the  fate  "of  riichar.l's  neplin-.v-s  in  tiio  lo.ver." 
(Everywhere  ihu  ?aino  mi:^!iiy  considerations  must 
prevail,  when  ih?  qai's-ioii  is  known  imd  under- 
blooJ.  In  the  West  v/c  ullorly  for!)i(l  the  unholy 
sacrifice— no  compri)mi?e  by  thi;  tfurrejider  of  one 
sinele  foot. 

But  it  is  not  the  W(\'it  altne  tlial  I'lrhiil.^  it.  His. 
lory,spfakinirfr<)m  (lie  .'ejiil'-hre  of  tlies. tinted  dead, 
forbids  it.  The  sh.ndca  of  AViisliiiigton,  of  Adams, 
of  Henry,  of  the  whole  host  of  revolutionary  -sires, 
forbid  it.  A  still  smaM  vijce  from  Lexington  and 
Concord,  forbids  it.  The  holy  blood,  which  ran  in 
torrents  on  the  parched  fields  of  Monmouth,  and 
Brandy  wine,  and  CSimdcn,  forbids  it.  All  the  past — 
the  spectre  form  of  the  past — with  mournful  look, 
forbids  i>.  The  present  forbids  it.  Sevcn-tentlisof  the 
American  people  forbid  it.  The  future,  with  one 
long  continued,  stern,  unbroken  front,  forbids  it.  By 
all  the  past  glory  of  our  country,  and  in  the  name  of 
posterity,  of  the  unborn  millions  whose  fortune  it 
shall  be  to  direct  free  and  proud  America  on  her 
high  destiny,  I  protect  against  the  dismemberment 
of  her  territory,  the  abandonment  of  her  interests, 
and  the  sacrifice  of  her  honor,  before  any  and  every 
altar  of  earth,  but  especially,  and  above  all  others, 
before  the  altar  of  English  ambition. 

1  have  but  uttered  the  rights  of  my  countrv,  and 
by  their  side  i  plant  myself,  ready  to  abide  tha^ 
issue — come  peace,  come  war. 

For  the  singleness  and  sincerity  of  my  motives  I 
appeal  to  Heaven.     By  them  1  am   wilting  to  ly.- 
juaged  now  arid  hereafter,  so   help  meGod,  whw.i^ 
prostrate  at  thy  feet,    1    falter  forth  my  laat  hf.ief 
prayer  for  mercy  on  an  erring  life. 


t 


)ed  together. 
3  his  msther 
,  perhaps  in 
boy,  played 
and  he  hears 
first  of  theee 
l-clad  hand, 
lobn  thiaal- 
ge  upon  his 
on  for  Eng- 
nine,  should 
r,  should  the 
;  the  lifeless 
coil  and  hiss 

,  if  the  voire 
1  would  be 

ther  queaiion 
hem.  I  say 
e  deciiion  in 
ill  was  rniide 
Kition  for  the 
by  th".  elec- 
M     DAJiaa. 

I  of  "Oregon 
s-fifihsdo  not 
on,"  I  ncvei" 
is  not  of  the 

II  (:liould   be 
tlosetr,  and 

"  it  miiy  meet 
the  tower." 
jraiifvns  must 
I  and  under- 
(1  the  unholy 
sJider  of  one 


lids  it.  Hiis- 
a.ilntiul  (lead, 
ii,  of  Adams, 
tionary  aires, 
exington  and 
which  ran  in 
nmoulh,  and 
\.ll  the  past — 
>urnful  look, 
i-tenthsofthe 
ire,  with  one 
ui'bids  it.  By 
1  the  name  of 
sie  fortune  it 
lerica  on  her 
jmemberment 
lier  interests, 
ny  and  every 
}ve  alt  others, 

country,  and 
to  abide  th&. 

my  motives  I 
wrilting  to  ly^ 
e  God,  whw.)^ 
ny  last  hr.jef 


